New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: December 2014

Council Member Martinez seeking applicants for various City Commissions

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

CITY OF SANTA ANA NOTICE TO RESIDENTS: COUNCILMEMBER MICHELE MARTINEZ ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPOINTMENT TO A BOARD OR COMMISSION SEAT

APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 29, 2014

The City of Santa Ana encourages residents to become involved in your community. One way to do so is to serve in an advisory capacity on one of the City’s various boards and commissions. The City is now accepting applications to fill several seats that would represent Ward 2. Below is a summary of the various commissions including duties, compensation and requirements. Interested individuals may apply for appointment by following the instructions in this notice.

Requirements: The following apply to most Citizen Advisory Boards with the exception of the Youth Commission: Must be a registered voter and not serve as a treasurer of a political action committee. Continue reading→

Second annual Plaza Navideña holiday event set for Dec. 13

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Family, Food, Latinos, music, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The second Annual Plaza Navideña will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Plaza Santa Ana from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The event is a holiday celebration with live entertainment, food, piñatas for the kids, and a visit from Santa Claus.

This free event is a great way to celebrate the holiday season with the community. Families can come and take part in the merriment of the holiday season at the Plaza Navideña.

The event will include: Continue reading→

Registrations now open for spring baseball at the Northeast Santa Ana Little League

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Baseball, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Once again Santa Ana will have open Little League boundaries in the upcoming season. What this means is that your child can play at the historic Northeast Santa Ana Little League (NESALL) and qualify for all stars if you live or attend school within our boundaries. All Santa Ana residents may play at NESALL, however they may have limited eligibility for All-Stars. The boundaries are changing due to changes within the city.

League age is based upon child’s age on April 30, 2015 for children born prior to 2005. Children born in after 2006 will play based upon their year of birth. (Example: All children born in 2006 are now league age 9, all children born in 2007 are league are 8 etc.).

Spring registration continues Saturday December 13, 2014. We will be accepting applications in person from 9:00 to 1:00 at NESALL. Online registration is open 24 hours a day at www.nesall.org or by clicking here. If you do not remember your prior user id, please emailnesallvp@gmail.com and request the information. Continue reading→

The new City Council majority won’t include Reyna and Benavides

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Angelica Amezcua, David Benavides, David Cavazos, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

While none of the Santa Ana City Council incumbents lost in the November General Election there is still major change coming to our City Council. You might recall that former Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero withdrew his support for Councilman David Benavides, prior to the General Election. Now Tinajero has joined forces with the new Mayor Pro Tem, Vince Sarmiento. In short, the adults are now running the Santa Ana City Council.

Tinajero and Sarmiento are working to form a new City Council majority with Council Members Angie Amezcua and Michele Martinez. The latter has at times joined with Reyna and Benavides. But if Martinez wants to survive in politics she will now dump them and work instead with Sarmiento and Tinajero.

If Martinez decides to be obstinate then Tinajero and Sarmiento have another option. They can form a Council majority with Amezcua and Mayor Miguel Pulido. Continue reading→

Sarmiento confirmed as Santa Ana’s new Mayor pro Tem

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: Council Member Vincent Sarmiento selected as Mayor Pro Tem at Tuesday’s Council Installation

“It’s an honor to be chosen to represent the City of Santa Ana as the Mayor Pro Tem. I look forward to working with my colleagues over the next two years to deliver efficient public services with our community, ensure public safety, create opportunities for our youth and deliver a high quality of life for our residents,” said Mayor Pro Tem Sarmiento. Continue reading→

Get a dozen donuts for free at Krispy Kreme today when you buy a dozen!

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Deals, Food, Orange Leave a comment

It is a very rainy day today in Santa Ana – a perfect day for coffee and donuts. As luck would have it today is the “Day of the Dozens” and Krispy Kreme is celebrating by offering a coupon for one dozen free glazed donuts, when you buy a dozen, at participating Krispy Kreme US and Canadian locations.

Why is it the Day of the Dozens? Because it is December 12, or 12-12!

There aren’t any Krispy Kreme donut locations in Santa Ana but there is one nearby, in Orange, at The Outlets, at 330 City Drive South. Get your coupon here or print the one atop this post. Continue reading→

Free Las Posadas event at the Bowers Museum set for Dec. 20

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Latinos, mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FREE HOLIDAY EVENT: LAS POSADAS

Sponsored by the James Irvine Foundation

Saturday | December 20 | 5pm – 7pm

JOIN US FOR A TRADITIONAL MEXICAN CELEBRATION!

A reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey as they seek shelter in Bethlehem. Continue reading→

Marine convicted of DUI crash that killed three of his fellow soldiers

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Military, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12CF1778

December 10, 2014

DRUNKEN-DRIVER MARINE CONVICTED OF CAUSING CRASH THAT KILLED THREE FELLOW MARINES AFTER CRASHING INTO TREE

WESTMINSTER – A Marine was convicted today of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a crash that killed three fellow Marines after crashing into a tree. Jared Ray Hale, 27, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, one felony count of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, with sentencing enhancements and allegations for driving with a blood alcohol level over .15 percent and causing great bodily injury. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison at his sentencing Jan. 30, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., in Department W-13, West Justice Center, Westminster. Continue reading→

No happy ending for massage therapist charged with sexual battery

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14HM08787

Decenber 10, 2014

SAN CLEMENTE MASSAGE THERAPIST FACES ADDITIONAL CHARGES OF SEXUAL BATTERY AGAINST FOUR ADDITIONAL VICTIMS

NEWPORT BEACH – Additional charges have been filed against a San Clemente massage therapist for inappropriately touching four other women. Ping Li, 51, San Clemente, was charged today with six misdemeanor counts of sexual battery against six victims. Li was initially charged with four counts of sexual battery. The four additional victims came forward after seeing media coverage about this case. If convicted, Li faces a maximum sentence of three years in jail and a $12,000 fine. At his arraignment on Nov. 3, 2014, Li was ordered by the court to no longer work as a massage therapist and to not enter any massage parlor during business hours. The defendant is out of custody on $100,000 bail. He is scheduled for pre-trial Jan. 12, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-7, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach. Continue reading→

Latino Health Access Tamalada set for December 19

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Entertainment, Food, Health and Medical, Latinos, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Latino Health Access welcomes the holiday season with its annual Tamalada or tamale party. They serve a healthy version of this Latin American wrapped corn meal that is low calorie and lard free. The tamales will be served with beans, salad and a drink and entertainment will be provided as well.

The Tamalada event is set for December 19, 2014, from 5 to 9 pm, at 450 W. 4th St., Suite 130, in Santa Ana.

You can pre-order chicken or vegetarian tamales or tickets online or call 714-542-7792. The proceeds of this event will benefit the Diabetes Program at Latino Health Access. Continue reading→

Arts and Culture Commission to host a Meet and Greet on Dec. 18

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The Santa Ana Arts and Culture Commission is hosting a Meet an Greet reception on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 from 5 to 7 pm, at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, located at 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 1000, in Santa Ana.

The current members of the Arts and Culture Commission include: Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez comments on International Human Rights Day

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civil Rights, Loretta Sanchez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District
STATEMENT, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ STATEMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today released the following statement in honor of International Human Rights Day, which marks the adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Every year, International Human Rights Day reminds us of the work that still must be done in the global effort to protect human rights. As we get closer to a vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), we must acknowledge the egregious human rights violations that continue to be committed by the Vietnamese government. As the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam, I have witnessed Vietnam make empty promise after empty promise that it will improve its human rights record. Enough is enough; we must put human rights before economic gain. Continue reading→

Santa Ana immigrant rights activists arrested while protesting at a DUI checkpoint

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, immigration, Santa Ana 16 Comments

Immigrant rights activists Maria Zacarias and Theresa Dang were arrested on suspicion of resisting or delaying a police officer and on suspicion of being intoxicated in public, respectively, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. They have been released, according to the OC Register.

Zacarias and Dang helped change checkpoints in Santa Ana when police agreed to allow unlicensed drivers 20 minutes to find someone with a license to whisk their car away from an expensive impound. The OC May Day Coalition said then that the previous policy unfairly targeted and profited off the undocumented community. The two went out to Friday night’s check point and offered to be on-spot drivers when the arrests happened, according to the OC Weekly.

My own research into the SAPD’s DUI checkpoints, a few years ago, revealed that they hardly ever caught any actual drunk drivers. They do however serve to hassle immigrants. Beyond that however there is a simple reason why the SAPD keeps running these ineffective checkpoints. Continue reading→

Sarmiento is Santa Ana’s new Mayor Pro Tem

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 1 Comment

We thought that Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides was going to seek the Mayor Pro Tem nomination at tonight’s City Council meeting. However none of his colleagues on the City Council nominated him.

In the end it was Councilman Vince Sarmiento who was nominated and then selected as the new Mayor Pro Tem. This became possible after the previous Mayor Pro Tem, Sal Tinajero, opted not to retain the title.

As Mayor Pro Tem, Sarmiento will run the Santa Ana City Council meetings when Mayor Miguel Pulido is late to a meeting, leaves a meeting early, or is absent altogether.

This was an early Christmas gift for Sarmiento, who is going to be running for reelection in 2016. Continue reading→

Water main break disrupts traffic on Harbor Blvd. and Sunflower Ave.

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in public works, Santa Ana, Water Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: ALTERNATE ROUTES SUGGESTED DUE TO WATER MAIN BREAK NEAR HARBOR BLVD. & SUNFLOWER AVENUE

SANTA ANA, CA (December 9, 2014) – The City has experienced a water main break near the intersection of Harbor Blvd. & Sunflower Ave. Repair crews are on scene.

Water service has been disrupted. Repair work is anticipated to be complete by about 3pm with traffic lanes being open shortly after as they become safe for use. Continue reading→